Human rights organizations, movements and processes from numerous countries including Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, recently met alongside international organizations at a Meeting for the Right to Defend Human Rights in Latin America.
Two Peace Brigades International – CEHPRODEC in Honduras and Espacio OSC in Mexico – signed a statement from that Meeting that notes:
“According to the most recent reports by Front Line Defenders, Global Witness and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Latin America continues to be the most dangerous region in the world with at least 257 human rights defenders murdered and disappeared in 2024, of which 119 are environmental, representing 79.3% of murders and disappearances globally.
As the aforementioned reports highlight, in most cases, the main perpetrators are agents of the State, members of organized crime, companies and individuals who act in complicity or under the omission of the authorities.
Against this backdrop, we urgently call on States to comply with international human rights standards, respect and guarantee the work of individuals and groups that defend rights, including the Escazú Agreement, and to refrain from enacting regressive regulations.
We call for regional and international solidarity and cooperation to maintain and expand political, social and economic support for human rights defenders. Defending rights is not a crime, but a legitimate and essential act for democracy, justice and dignity.”
The full statement can be read at: Pronunciamiento del Encuentro Regional de Personas Defensoras: América Latina exige garantías para defender derechos humanos (November 4, 2025).
Photos: PBI-Canada met with the two signatory organizations, CEHPRODEC in October 2024 in Honduras, then Espacio OSC in September 2025 in Canada.
